§ Mr. Merchantasked the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give the number of heart operations, the number of hip replacements, and the number of knee 439W replacements carried out in the Newcastle health authority area in the following years (a) 1979, (b) 1982 and (c) the latest available year.
§ Mrs. CurrieI understand from the Northern regional health authority that the numbers of these operations carried out by Newcastle district health authority in the years requested were as follows:
Year Procedure carried out in Newcastle DHA 1979 1982 11985 Surgical procedures on the heart 1,690 1,980 2,454 Total hip replacements and other arthroplasty of hip 338 2276 407 Arthroplasly of knee 29 115 236 1 The latest year for which figures are available. 2 The number of operations was affected by industrial action in the National Health Service. My hon. Friend may wish to write for more detailed information to the chairman of Newcastle district health authority.